Celeste and I were just sitting down to drink some water when…
"Hey! Lucian, Celestia, just what was that?" Athena grabbed my shoulder.
Both of us turned slightly to face them.
"Yeah! I get that the two of you are a couple in this play, and could be a couple in real life, but how could you just do that? Could you two tone down your affection a little more? That wasn't even in the script!!" Gideon's ears were hot pink.
"Do what?" The two of us asked at the same time.
"Those flirty gestures in Scene 3!!" Athena let out a small, exasperated sigh, struggling to steady herself.
"Got a problem with that?" We both rolled our eyes. It made things worse that I wasn't acting anymore, so with my emotionless face, I probably looked… mean.
"Also, I think we're more like long-lost twins than a couple," Celeste added.
"Celeste, you're supposed to deny that we're dating in real life first, then add in another point."
"Ah, forgive my behaviour just now, Lucas. I am not in top form today."
"..."
"Act III: The Quiet Before Certainty"
The setting was in a private chapel. Moonlight filtered through the stained glass, depicting angels. Candles flickered gently along the stone walls. A central aisle led towards the altar as white feathers decorated the ceremonial bowls. But shadows stretched long across the floor.
Athena kneels near the front pew. Not rigidly formal, more contemplative than devout. Her fingers lightly trace the edge of a fallen feather resting on a wooden bench. She turns it over slowly, examining its softness.
"White feathers are everywhere lately…" Athena says softly, half amused. She spun it lightly between her fingers. "Someone clearly enjoys symbolism," She sighed gently, placing the feather beside her.
The silence lingers.
Footsteps echoed softly behind as Gideon entered quietly. He removed his gloves before approaching as a sign of respect for the sacred space. "You have been difficult to find recently."
"I could say the same for you." She smiled faintly.
"Preparations occupy most of my time now."
"Everyone expects much from heroes."
"Expectation is lighter than consequence."
Athena glanced up at the stained glass angels. "Do you ever feel…tired of being certain?"
Gideon paused. "Certainty provides direction.
"But it also removes questions."
"Questions can become distractions."
"Questions prevent mistakes."
Gideon sat beside her but maintained a respectful distance. "Something troubles you."
"Many things trouble me." She smiled lightly. "That seems to be the theme of this season," But her gaze lowered again. "Tell me honestly…" She hesitated. "Do you believe people are born evil?"
"No…"
"Then how? How? No, why do they become evil?"
"Through the choices they make," Gideon said slowly.
"And if someone chooses something terrible…to prevent something worse…what are they?"
Gideon studied her carefully now. "That is a dangerous line of reasoning."
"But it's not incorrect."
"It can justify anything."
"It can also explain everything."
The silence stretched between them.
"You haven't seen him yet," Athena whispered.
"I have seen what he has done."
"Stories describe actions, not intentions."
"Intentions do not undo harm." Gideon stood up.
"But they change the meaning." Athena stood up as well to face Gideon.
"Meaning does not rebuild destroyed cities."
Athena paused and sat back down.
Quietly, she stated, "Nor does ignorance prevent more from falling." She leaned back slightly against the pew. Gazing upwards, she said very softly, "Everyone speaks of him as though the conclusion is obvious."
"Some truths are obvious, Athena."
"History once described demons as scholars." Gideon looked slightly surprised. "Did you know that, Gideon?"
"History contains many interpretations."
"But rarely do interpretations contradict each other so dramatically, no?"
"Why does this concern you?"
"Because…" She looked down at her hands. "…because certainty feels…premature."
"Hesitation can cost lives," He warned.
"So can arrogance."
"You are unusually conflicted."
Athena smiled faintly. "You mean that I am unusually observant today, Gideon?"
"You believe that there is more to this conflict."
"I believe every conflict has more than one story." Athena corrected him.
"Some stories are written in blood."
"Which is precisely why accuracy matters." She gently picked up the feather again. "If someone must become a villain…does that automatically make them one?"
"If someone chooses harm…they accept judgment."
"Even if they believe they are protecting something? Something important?"
"Belief does not absolve responsibility."
Athena paused to look at him.
"Responsibility to whom?"
"To humanity, of course."
"And if humanity is mistaken?" Gideon did not answer immediately. "We assume we are always correct. But history suggests otherwise."
"You sound as though you doubt our cause."
"I doubt incomplete information." She studied the stained glass angel above the altar. "If angels descended tomorrow…would we trust them automatically?"
"Angels represent purity."
"Purity to whom?"
"Scripture."
"Scripture has been revised before."
Gideon watched her now with concern mixed with curiosity. "You have changed."
"No." She smiled faintly. "I have begun paying attention." She gently placed the feather on Gideon's palm. "Tell me honestly." He looked at the feather. "If the world required you to be hated…to save it…" She met his eyes. "Would you accept that role?"
"I would seek another way."
"And if there was none?"
"There is always another way."
"History suggests otherwise." She stood slowly and walked toward the candle stand. "Sometimes the choices are simply…which tragedy we allow." She extinguished one candle gently. "Perhaps this is why villains exist."
"Or why heroes must stop them."
Athena turned back toward him, her expression thoughtful…yet conflicted. "I wonder which history remembers more kindly. She slowly exited.
But Gideon remained seated, looking at the feather in his hand. The lighting shifted subtly cooler, and the feather appeared slightly grey in the altered light.
Blackout.
"Scene 3."
The next scene was in a private chamber in the neutral territory residence. A large window overlooked the night sky, and moonlight poured across the floor. A chess table was positioned near the window, with its white queen positioned boldly near the black king.
I stood near the window, hands clasped behind my back, watching the distant stars. Celeste sat at the chess table, studying the board with exaggerated seriousness.
"You are losing," Celeste stated the obvious.
"You have been saying that for the past twelve moves, Celestia."
"And yet the statement remains quite accurate." She moved the white queen deliberately closer to my black king. "It's Celeste for you, by the way. Concerned now?"
"Sorry, Celeste, you know how I am." I glanced at the board. "Only if one assumes I intend to protect the king."
"You always protect what is yours."
"Not always successfully."
She studied me carefully. "You're overthinking again."
"I am considering consequences."
"You have considered consequences for months!" She sighed exaggeratedly. Slowly, she rose from her chair and walked toward him. "Tell me something honestly, Lucas." She stopped very close to me. Close enough that her sleeveless black dress brushed against my hand. "How many outcomes have you calculated?"
"Enough."
"And how many end peacefully?"
Silence.
"Peace is not always gentle…"
"That is not an answer." Her voice was firm.
I exhaled quietly. "Very few."
She nodded slowly, as though confirming what she had already suspected. "And in those few outcomes…" Her voice softened. "Do we remain…together?"
There was a long pause.
I studied her carefully. "You assume separation is inevitable."
"You assume I have not noticed." She gently took my gloved hand. Carefully. As though something fragile might break. "You have begun memorising moments."
I did not deny it.
"You only do that when you expect to lose something."
"Or when I expect something to be taken."
"Then allow me to ask plainly." She removed one of my gloves slowly. An intimate gesture. "What happens when the board demands a sacrifice?"
"I refuse the move."
"Even if refusing costs the entire game?"
"There are pieces I will not, and will never, trade."
She smiled faintly. "How stubborn." Lightly, she presses her fingers against my palm. "Even when the piece volunteers?" My hand closes slightly around hers.
"You are not a piece."
"Everyone is a piece to someone."
That is extremely true.
"Not to me."
She studied my face carefully. "Then promise me something." Her eyes met mine. "Promise you will not hesitate when the time comes. Promise you will finish what you started."
"I intend to."
"Even if it costs you everything?"
"Everything has a cost."
She smiled softly. A sad smile. "Then at least let the ending be meaningful."
I brought her hand near my lips, but I did not kiss it. "You speak as though the ending has already been written."
"All stories end. The only question left is whether they matter."
"This story will matter."
"Then let it matter beautifully." She leaned her forehead gently against my shoulder. "If the world must hate someone…let it hate us together."
"I will not allow you to share that burden."
"You already have." She gently tapped my chest twice. A playful challenge. "Or have you forgotten who insisted on standing beside the future villain?"
"You insisted very convincingly."
"I can be very persuasive." She tilted her head slightly. "Would you like a demonstration?"
"No, thank you."
"Why? What's wrong?" Her lips curled up into a teasing smile. "Afraid you'll lose control?"
"I prefer maintaining composure."
"Ugh, composure is overrated." She leaned closer deliberately.
"You underestimate my determination."
"And you underestimate mine." She stepped back slowly, and we returned to the chess table.
With a flick of her wrist, she moved the white queen directly beside the black king.
"Check."
I studied the board and commented, "Bold move."
"Necessary move."
"Dangerous move."
"Memorable move."
She looked at me with calm certainty.
"History rarely remembers caution."
I moved a piece carefully and replied, "History remembers outcomes."
"Then let ours be unforgettable."
She walked towards the window beside me, and our shoulders touched lightly.
"If tomorrow changes everything…" She did not finish her sentence.
"Then we will face tomorrow."
"Together?"
Always."
She closed her eyes briefly. A small expression of relief. "Good. Because I refuse to haunt the afterlife alone."
'You are not permitted to haunt anything."
"We shall see." She smiled faintly.
The wind shifts the curtain, and a white feather drifts in through the open window and lands on the chessboard beside the queen. The lighting shifts slightly darker, and the feather appears faintly grey.
Noticing, Celeste muttered, "Even the world enjoys symbolism lately."
"Symbolism is rarely accidental."
"Nor are endings." She gently picked up the feather and placed it in my hand. "Keep this."
"Why?"
"So you remember…" She paused and corrected the wording softly. "So you continue."
I studied the feather quietly.
Blackout.
"Scene 3"
The next scene was at a war-torn border village with half-burned buildings and collapsed stone walls. Ash drifted slowly through the air like snow. Distant fires were still smouldering, and the groans of wounded soldiers were scattered across the stage.
The atmosphere was heavy with the aftermath of violence.
Athena entered with a small reconnaissance squad. Armour was dusted with ash, swords drawn but lowered. Eyes sharp, she surveyed the battlefield aftermath.
"Report." She commanded.
"Enemy forces have retreated east," The knight bowed.
"Casualties?"
He hesitated.
"Higher than projected…"
"Civilian presence?"
"Minimal survivors."
She scanned the ruins slowly. Something felt off. Of course it did.
"Too quiet…" She muttered.
"Possible ambush?"
"No," She paused. "It's something else…"
There was a faint sound. A pained breath. Not from her soldiers, but from a different direction. Athena raised her hand, signalling silence, and followed the sound cautiously. She stepped around a collapsed pillar, and… stopped suddenly.
The stage lighting shifts to me.
I knelt beside a wounded enemy soldier, black coat dusted with ash, gloves stained faintly red. But one hand was glowing softly. With a gentle green light.
Healing magic.
Ahh, these props are really good. To mimic healing magic, that's something else. I guess the stage managers really have too much budget. So much that they could spend it on us, people who might not even get into their club.
My expression was calm. Focused.
Almost…kind.
Athena froze.
"That is—" The knight whispered.
Athena raised her hand sharply.
Silence.
I finished the healing motion, and the green glow faded slowly. Finally, the wounded soldier's breathing stabilised.
"You will live," I said.
"Why…?" The wounded soldier looked up at me in confusion.
"Because survival is preferable."
"But you are an enemy…"
"Today." I helped him sit up carefully and checked his bandage.
Athena watched closely, and confusion flickered briefly across her face. "Explain."
I did not turn immediately, for I already knew she was there. "Explanation rarely changes first impressions."
"Try me," She daunted.
I rose slowly and turned to face her. Neither drew their weapon. The tension electric. The knights behind her were clearly tense. Athena studied me intensely, searching for deception but finding none. "You heal our soldiers?"
"I heal the wounded."
"You show mercy to enemies?"
"Mercy merely implies superiority."
"Then what is this?"
"Efficiency."
"Killing them would be more efficient," She argued.
"Death creates complications," I sighed.
"Complications?" She cocked her head in confusion.
"Families. Grievances. Motivation for retaliation. All these are complications. Complications that stand in my way."
"You fear retaliation?" She asked.
"I merely dislike unnecessary escalation. Do you have a problem with that?"
"You started this conflict."
"Really," I scoffed, unable to contain my laughter. "Did I?" I looked into her eyes with a straight face now.
"What is so funny?" She frowned. "Your forces crossed over the border first."
"Borders move frequently," I replied simply.
"You speak like a diplomat."
"Diplomacy prevents funerals."
"War is already here," She emphasised.
"War was always avoidable until someone could profit from it."
Athena studied me very carefully. "You speak treason against your own side," She said slowly.
"Sides are temporary." I paced.
"Allegiances are not."
"History disagrees." I stopped to give her a bitter smile. "Don't you agree, Athena Cross?"
"Commander, permission to engage—" A knight bowed.
Athena raised her hand slightly, silencing him. Still watching me, she matched my pace, walking directly opposite me in circles.
"Why reveal yourself?"
"I did not conceal myself."
"You remained after the battle, no?"
"Someone had to tend to the wounded."
"Your soldiers?"
"All soldiers," I said firmly.
"You expect me to believe this compassion?"
"Believe what you like. Believe whichever explanation satisfies you. All humans are the same."
"You mock me." She exhaled sharply, her composure beginning to crack.
"I respect you."
"Then answer honestly." She glanced at me as if nothing could escape her eyes. "Why spare them?"
There was a pause.
"Because someone should," I said quietly.
That answer landed harder on Athena than expected. Her acting, it was better than I thought.
"War requires sacrifice."
"War requires restraint."
"You speak as though you oppose conflict," She murmured.
"Conflict reveals truths."
"But truths do not require bloodshed."
"Unfortunately," I exhaled slowly, my expression as composed as ever. "People rarely listen without it.
"You justify violence calmly."
"You mean I minimise it deliberately," I corrected her.
She studied me once more. "You contradict every report written about you." Her voice was doubtful.
"Reports often serve agendas."
"You imply propaganda."
"No, I imply narrative construction."
"You are very composed for someone surrounded."
I glanced briefly at her knights, unconcerned. "You will not attack," I smirked.
"You sound confident."
"I am," I paused and added, "You are curious."
"Curiosity does not prevent execution. You do know that, right?"
"Conviction does."
"You presume to know my convictions?" She questioned.
"You stopped your soldiers," I observed.
"Because I required information."
"Information rarely requires mercy."
"Your mercy was not granted."
"And yet, I remain alive…" I looked up at the blue sky.
Silence.
"You are either very foolish or very certain…"
"Often both." I cut her off.
"It is a calculated risk."
"You calculate my decisions?" She raised an eyebrow, intrigued by me.
"I simply calculate patterns," I replied.
"And…what pattern do you see?"
"I see that…" I turned my gaze away from the sky and back to her. "You seek the truth more than victory."
That line hits her visibly.
"Victory ensures peace."
"Victory also ensures silence."
"Silence prevents suffering." She argued.
"No, silence hides suffering. It conceals it, erasing it from all of history."
Athena paused. "You are not what I expected."
"Expectation is unreliable intelligence."
"You speak like someone who wishes to be understood." She studied my expression slowly this time.
"Understanding reduces unnecessary deaths."
"You assume death is unnecessary."
"It is. Most deaths are administrative."
"That is a dangerous philosophy."
"Dangerous enough to inefficient systems."
"You speak as though you intend to dismantle those systems."
"I intend to survive them."
"And if survival requires becoming the villain?"
"History assigns labels after outcomes."
"You expect history to forgive you?"
"I do not require forgiveness." I met her gaze steadily. "What I require is completion."
Silence.
The wind shifts ash across the stage.
"You will not always be able to walk away," She warned.
"Neither will you."
"The next time we meet…" Her eyes were full of determination. "I will not hesitate."
"You did not hesitate today."
"I hesitated enough."
"Enough is often decisive." I turned away calmly and walked into the smoke.
The knights behind her were tense, but Athena did not give an order. Instead, she watched me disappear.
"Why would he help me…?" The wounded soldier asked.
Athena did not answer immediately. Watching my fading silhouette, she said quietly, "That is what I intend to discover."
The lights faded slowly.
The next scene was in Gideon's strategic war chamber.
I am sick of watching others act. I should just get a drink.
"Tired already?" Kaori smiled at me.
"Yeah, the next scene is going to be even harder to stand out with more people."
"Don't worry," She comforted, patting my head. "Most people in the audience have already had their eyes on you. You will definitely get into the main cast,"
"People have their eyes on the priestess, Celestia, Athena, and Gideon too."
"But you have that trump card still, right?" She winked at me. "The trump card that shows your true potential for acting?"
"I do." I glanced at her and asked, "Do you ever feel…frustrated, or even annoyed when you watch this play?"
"Why would I be upset?"
"Maybe the play didn't come out as expected…"
"Alistair, do you know that this script of mine is one of my greatest works?" She paced around backstage. "But I still entrusted it to mere newcomers auditioning for the club. Some of them won't even get into the club! But why? Why did I entrust it to you?" She paused, her eyes twinkling as she looked at me.
"Because I trust all of you. I trust that all of you will adapt this play better than expected. Your generation, Alistair, is one of the most talented generations in Aetherion's centuries and centuries of existence. A generation so powerful that we, seniors and juniors alike, must be wary of." She walked over to me.
"One small mistake could lead to our doom." Kaori laughed. "That's funny. As your seniors, we should be much more talented and smarter than all of you. But no, your generation, Year 1, could be better than us. Especially some geniuses down there."
"But I believe," She leaned in closer. "That your generation is this talented, for a reason. "
"In this world, everything must have a reason."
"Not everything has a reason, though."
"..."
"There is no reason for love."
"There is. Familial love is a unique and unconditional love that starts from the minute you are born, shaping your life. It is there to let you feel the warmth of the world. But when it is taken away, you are forced to feel the cold, harsh reality of the world."
"I'm not talking about that," Kaori smirked. "I'm talking about romance. That kind of love."
"Still, there is a reason. You could love someone romantically for their looks, their personality, or even their small habits. Who knows? Everyone has their reasons for loving someone."
"Oh? So that's your reason?" Kaori sighed, "Listen, Alistair. You will understand what I mean one day. One day, you will find someone whom you love for no reason. You will love her just because you love her. The textbook doesn't contain everything. Sometimes, you just have to take a step outside to experience things."
"..."
"You know what they say," She said. "If you love someone for their looks, it's called obsession. If you love someone for their kindness, it's called admiration. If you love someone for their money, it's called interest. If you love someone because they love you, it's called empathy. If you love someone for their mind and intellect, it's called intellectual attraction. But if you are confused about why you love someone, it's true love."
I stared at her.
"..."
"You're really a sociopath. Cold, antisocial, and manipulative." She studied my calm expression.
"What makes you say that suddenly?"
"Nothing, it just slipped out unexpectedly. I was just thinking about it the other day."
"..."
"You really don't care about what others think of you." She chuckled to herself.
"..."
I do not need to think about what others think of me. As long as I focus on improving myself to be the perfect human there is, strong enough to kill the murderers of Mom and Dad, there is nothing else to worry about. This is the sole purpose of my life. Revenge. From the very start of my previous life to the end, I was destined to kill Father, Ryusei, and the new queen for Mother.
But fate was cruel.
In the end, I ended up killing Mother as well. For all the torture, pain, and beatings she had me endure. It was only natural that I took revenge, although I had deeply hurt Boss.
This is why I am not surprised to find out that the purpose of my life here is revenge again. No one else would go down the dark path of bloodshed, with the sole exception of Alistair Nightfall. Me. It was only obvious that I would get my revenge. And the revenge would be paid in blood. So the gods need not worry about Mom and Dad dying for nothing. Because I will get their revenge. No matter what they or others tell me.
This is who I am.
Humanity is evil.
Humans are cruel.
When will the strong stop picking on the weak?
I do not know the answer to that question. Maybe never. This is why the weak like me are forced to become the strong. All for revenge. Revenge for looking down on them. Now, as the strong, we are picking on the weak. From others' perspective, we might look like the strong picking on the weak again.
Does this mean that the cycle will repeat for eternity?
Will this cycle never end?
Who knows?
But right now, I do not care what others think. I will only focus on being my best self. Focus on carrying out my plan.
"Are you not going to say anything?" Kaori studied my face.
"Yes. There is no point in changing one's impression of me. I do not care about what others think of me," I said slowly. "Unless…it's family."
"So if I, or Ella, think of you as a cold, heartless monster, what will you do?" She poked fun at me, a small grin forming at her lips. Kaori must really love these 'if' scenarios, because Ella would never ask me these kinds of questions.
I paused.
"I will change your perspective of me," I said firmly. "But only in the near future."
Right now, I can't afford to let my guard down. Project Atlas could show up at my doorstep anytime. I need to get stronger before I face them again. The next time we meet, it might be a bloody one.
Kaori nodded, as if satisfied by my answer.
I glanced back at the stage.
"...a strike party within two days," Gideon said.
The air tightened.
"Objective?" Athena asked.
"Direct engagement."
"Capture?" Athena's gaze sharpened slightly.
"If possible," He paused and added, "Elimination if necessary."
"You should get going now." Kaori rested a hand on my shoulder. "Good luck out there!" She winked.
"..." I said nothing and regrouped with Celeste.